Method and device for performing communication using a transmission pattern

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method and device for performing communication. The method comprises: determining a target transmission pattern from a set of candidate transmission patterns, wherein each of the candidate transmission patterns contains a DL transmission part and/or a UL transmission part, and the candidate transmission patterns differ from one another in terms of time durations of the respective DL transmission parts and/or the UL transmission parts; and performing communication between a network device and a terminal device by using the target transmission pattern.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/318,586 filed Jan. 17, 2019, which is a National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/CN2016/090449 filed Jul. 19, 2016, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to communicationtechniques. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosurerelate to a method and device for performing communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the development of communication technologies, frequency ranges upto 100 GHz has been studied with the objective of a single technicalframework addressing as many as possible usage scenarios. It has beendefined some requirements and deployment scenarios, such as, enhancedmobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable and low latency communications(URLLC), massive machine-type-communications (mMTC), and so on.

Generally, eMBB has a strict requirement on high peak data rate, but arelatively loose requirement on user plane latency, for example, 4 msfor uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) transmission. In contrast, URLLCrequires ultra-low latency and high reliability, for example, it mayrequire the user plane latency to be, for example, 0.5 ms for UL and DLtransmission.

If a terminal device requiring eMBB service (also referred to as “eMBBterminal device”) and another terminal device requiring URLLC service(also referred to as “URLLC terminal device”) multiplexed in the sametransmission pattern, such as a subframe, the user plane latency of eMBBmay be multiple times of the user plane latency of URLLC. Thus, the eMBBterminal device may be scheduled with multiple subframes, and URLLC UEmay be scheduled with one subframe for meeting a stricter user planelatency requirement.

Conventionally, time durations for UL transmission and DL transmissionhave been configured in the whole bandwidth. As such, if the eMBBterminal device and the URLLC terminal device are multiplexed infrequency domain, some resources may be wasted.

Therefore, there is a need for a scheme for signal transmission toreduce waste of the time and/or frequency resources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure proposes a solution for performing communicationto reduce waste of the time and/or frequency resources.

According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure,embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by adevice. The device determines a target transmission pattern from a setof candidate transmission patterns. Each of the candidate transmissionpatterns contains a DL transmission part and/or a UL transmission part,and the candidate transmission patterns differ from one another in termsof time durations of the respective DL transmission parts and/or the ULtransmission parts. Then, communication between a network device and aterminal device is performed by using the target transmission pattern.

According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure,embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device for performingcommunication. The device comprises: a controller configured todetermining a target transmission pattern from a set of candidatetransmission patterns, wherein each of the candidate transmissionpatterns contains a DL transmission part and/or a UL transmission part,and the candidate transmission patterns differ from one another in termsof time durations of the respective DL transmission parts and/or the ULtransmission parts; and a transceiver configured to performcommunication between a network device and a terminal device by usingthe target transmission pattern.

Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the presentdisclosure will also be apparent from the following description ofspecific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles ofembodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are presented in the sense ofexamples and their advantages are explained in greater detail below,with reference to the accompanying drawings, where

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system 100according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram 200 of transmission patternsaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a method 300 for performingcommunication according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram 400 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and different GP durations according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram 500 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and different GP durations according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram 600 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and different GP durations according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram 700 of transmission patterns for a UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram 800 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram 900 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram 1000 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram 1100 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates a diagram 1200 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates a diagram 1300 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrates a diagram 1400 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates a diagram 1500 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates a diagram 1600 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 illustrates a diagram 1700 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 illustrates a diagram 1800 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 illustrates a diagram 1900 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 illustrates a diagram 2000 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 illustrates a diagram 2100 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and different GP durations according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 illustrates a diagram 2200 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and different GP durations according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 illustrates a diagram 2300 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 24 illustrates a diagram 2400 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 25 illustrates a diagram 2500 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 26 illustrates a diagram 2600 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and GP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 27 illustrates a diagram 2700 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and GP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 28 illustrates a diagram 2800 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 29 illustrates a diagram 2900 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 30 illustrates a diagram 3000 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 31 illustrates a diagram 3100 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 32 illustrates a diagram 3200 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 33 illustrates a diagram 3300 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 34 illustrates a diagram 3400 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 35 illustrates a diagram 3500 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 36 illustrates a diagram 3600 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 37 illustrates a diagram 3700 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 38 illustrates a diagram 3800 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 39 illustrates a diagram 3900 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 40 illustrates a diagram 4000 of a transmission pattern accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 41 illustrates a diagram 4100 of a transmission pattern accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 42 illustrates a schematic diagram of a device 4200 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Throughout the figures, same or similar reference numbers indicate sameor similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The subject matter described herein will now be discussed with referenceto several example embodiments. It should be understood theseembodiments are discussed only for the purpose of enabling those skilledpersons in the art to better understand and thus implement the subjectmatter described herein, rather than suggesting any limitations on thescope of the subject matter.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when usedherein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presenceor addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components and/or groups thereof.

It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, thefunctions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures.For example, two functions or acts shown in succession may in fact beexecuted concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a networkfollowing any suitable communication standards, such as LTE-Advanced(LTE-A), LTE, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-SpeedPacket Access (HSPA), and so on. Furthermore, the communications betweena terminal device and a network device in the communication network maybe performed according to any suitable generation communicationprotocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), thesecond generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), thefourth generation (4G), 4.5G, the future fifth generation (5G)communication protocols, and/or any other protocols either currentlyknown or to be developed in the future.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in variouscommunication systems. Given the rapid development in communications,there will of course also be future type communication technologies andsystems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should notbe seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only theaforementioned system.

The term “network device” includes, but not limited to, a base station(BS), a gateway, a management entity, and other suitable device in acommunication system. The term “base station” or “BS” represents a nodeB (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a Remote Radio Unit(RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a lowpower node such as a femto, a pico, and so forth.

The term “terminal device” includes, but not limited to, “user equipment(UE)” and other suitable end device capable of communicating with thenetwork device. By way of example, the “terminal device” may refer to aterminal, a Mobile Terminal (MT), a Subscriber Station (SS), a PortableSubscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT).

Now some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below with reference to the figures. Reference is first madeto FIG. 1, which illustrates schematic diagram of a communication system100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the communication system 100, a network device (also referred to asBS hereafter) 110 communicates with two terminal devices (also referredto as UEs hereafter) 121 and 122 by using the same or differenttransmission patterns. The BS 110 is to provide an eMBB service to UE121 and thus UE 121 may be called as an eMBB UE. The BS 110 is toprovide a URLLC service to UE 122 and thus UE 122 may be called as aURLLC UE.

The term “transmission pattern” refers to settings regarding resource intime domain and/or frequency domain. For instance, a transmissionpattern may correspond to one or more subframes or a certain number ofsymbols in time domain, and may correspond to one or more subcarriers infrequency domain. A transmission pattern contains a DL transmission partand/or a UL transmission part. A transmission pattern differs fromanother in terms of time durations of the respective DL transmissionparts and/or the UL transmission parts. In embodiments of the presentdisclosure, transmission patterns may include a set of candidatetransmission patterns and a target transmission pattern, wherein thetarget transmission pattern is selected or determined from the set ofcandidate transmission patterns. The set of candidate transmissionpatterns may include one or more downlink-centric transmission patternsmainly used for downlink data transmission, and/or one or moreuplink-centric transmission patterns mainly used for uplink datatransmission.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of downlink-centric transmission patternsand uplink-centric transmission patterns. As shown in FIG. 2, thedownlink-centric transmission pattern 210 includes a downlinktransmission part 211 for transmitting downlink control information, adownlink transmission part 212 for transmitting downlink data, a guardperiod (GP) part 213 and an uplink transmission part 214 (for example,Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH)) for transmitting uplink controlinformation. In the transmission pattern 210, the downlink transmissionpart 212 for transmitting the downlink data is longer than other parts,and thus it is called as a downlink-centric transmission pattern.

Similar to the downlink-centric transmission pattern 210, thedownlink-centric transmission pattern 220 includes a downlinktransmission part 221 for transmitting downlink data, a guard period(GP) part 222 and an uplink transmission part 223. The main differencebetween the downlink-centric transmission patterns 210 and 220 lies inthat the transmission pattern 220 does not include a part fortransmitting downlink control information.

The uplink-centric transmission pattern 230 includes a downlinktransmission part 231 for transmitting downlink control information, aGP part 232, an uplink transmission part 233 for transmitting uplinkdata, and an uplink transmission part 234 (for example, PUCCH) fortransmitting uplink control information. In the transmission pattern230, the uplink transmission part 233 for transmitting the uplink datais longer than other parts, and thus the transmission pattern 230 isreferred to as an uplink-centric transmission pattern.

Similar to the uplink-centric transmission pattern 230, theuplink-centric transmission pattern 240 includes a downlink transmissionpart 241 for transmitting downlink control information, a GP part 242and an uplink transmission part 243 for transmitting uplink data. Themain difference between the uplink-centric transmission patterns 230 and240 lies in that the transmission pattern 240 does not include a partfor transmitting uplink control information.

It is to be understood that, unless describing to the contrary, the term“transmission” or “communication” includes transmission or communicationof control information and/or data, and the term “signal” used hereinincludes control information and/or data.

Conventionally, eMBB has a relatively loose requirement on user planelatency, for example, 4 ms for UL/DL transmission. In contrast, URLLCrequires relatively strict user plane latency, for example, 0.5 ms forUL/DL transmission. In the example of FIG. 1, the eMBB UE 121 isscheduled with multiple subframes, and URLLC UE 122 is scheduled withone subframe for meeting the strict user plane latency requirement. Ifthe eMBB UE 121 and the URLLC UE 122 are multiplexed in frequencydomain, some resources may be wasted, which is undesirable.

To solve this problem, embodiments of the present disclosure propose asolution as discussed below to reduce waste of the time and/or frequencyresources. Now some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure willbe described below with reference to the following figures. FIG. 3illustrates a flow chart of a method 300 for signal transmissionaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 300 maybe implemented by the BS 110, the terminal device 121, the terminaldevice 122 or other suitable device.

The method 300 is entered in block 310, where a target transmissionpattern is determined from a set of candidate transmission patterns.Each of the candidate transmission patterns contains a DL transmissionpart and/or a UL transmission part, and the candidate transmissionpatterns differ from one another in terms of time durations of therespective DL transmission parts and/or the UL transmission parts.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the method 300may be performed by a network device, for example the BS 110 of FIG. 1.In such embodiments, the BS 110 may determine a target transmissionpattern from the set of candidate transmission patterns for each ofterminal devices (for example UEs 121 and 122) served by the networkdevice, without requiring the target transmission pattern is the samefor each of terminal devices.

In some embodiments, the method 300 may be performed by a terminaldevice, for example UE 121 or UE 122. In such embodiment, the UE 121 or122 may determine a target transmission pattern that is suitable fortransmitting signals between it and the BS 110.

In some embodiments, one or more of the candidate transmission patternsmay further include a GP part. The GP part may be between the DLtransmission part and the UL transmission part.

In some embodiments, the target transmission pattern may be determinedbased on a feedback requirement requiring a feedback about the DLtransmission to be sent in the target transmission pattern. The targettransmission pattern may include a processing period (PP) for theterminal device to process data received in the DL transmission. Theprocessing period may be implemented in the target transmission patternin a variety of ways to meet the feedback requirement.

In an embodiment, the target transmission pattern is applicable in aTime Division Duplexing (TDD) transmission mode. In the TDD mode, lengthof the GP part may be extended by the processing period, such thatlength of the DL transmission part can be reduced by the processingperiod.

In another embodiment, length of the DL transmission part may be reducedby the processing period, but the length of the GP part is not affected.In such a case, there is no signal transmission on the processingperiod. In other words, the processing period is “blank.”

In some cases, signals transmitted in the DL transmission part isreduced so that the transmitted signals can be decoded and the feedbackinformation or feedback signal (for example, Acknowledgement(ACK)/Negative Acknowledgement (NACK)) about the transmitted signals canbe prepared and sent in the same subframe.

In another embodiment, the target transmission pattern is applicable ina Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) transmission mode. In the FDD mode,length of the DL transmission part may be reduced by the processingperiod.

In the above embodiments, the processing period may be used for furtherDL transmission of data, control information or a reference signal (RS).Feedback (for example ACK/NACK) about the further DL transmission doesnot need to meet the above feedback requirement. In an embodiment,feedback about the further DL transmission may be sent after the targettransmission pattern. For example, if one transmission patterncorresponding to one subframe in time domain, then the feedback may besent after the subframe corresponding to the target transmissionpattern.

In some embodiments, the target transmission pattern may be determinedbased on a scheduling requirement requiring scheduling information aboutthe UL transmission is to be sent in the target transmission pattern.The target transmission pattern may include a processing period for theterminal device to prepare data to be transmitted in the ULtransmission. The processing period may be implemented in the targettransmission pattern in a variety of ways to meet the schedulingrequirement.

In an embodiment, the target transmission pattern is applicable in a TDDtransmission mode. In the TDD mode, length of the GP part may beextended by the processing period, such that length of the ULtransmission part can be reduced by the processing period.

In another embodiment, length of the UL transmission part may be reducedby the processing period, but the length of the GP part is not affected.In such a case, there is no signal on the processing period. In otherwords, the processing period is “blank.” In another embodiment, thetarget transmission pattern is applicable in a FDD transmission mode. Inthe FDD mode, length of the UL transmission part may be reduced by theprocessing period.

In the above embodiments, the processing period may be used for furtherUL transmission of data or a reference signal. Scheduling informationabout the further UL transmission may be already sent before the targettransmission pattern, for example in a previous subframe.

In another embodiment, length of the DL transmission part may be reducedby the processing period, but the length of the UL transmission part isnot effected. In such a case, there is no signal on the processingperiod. In other words, the processing period is “blank”. In somescenarios, the scheduling signals for the UL transmission parttransmitted in the DL transmission part is reduced so that thecorresponding UL transmission signals can be can be prepared and sent inthe same subframe.

In the above embodiment, the processing period may be used for furtherDL transmission of control signaling (e.g. Channel State Information(CSI) feedback) or data or a reference signal.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the targettransmission pattern includes an indication for indicating itself. In anembodiment, the indication may be included in control informationtransmitted in the DL transmission part and/or the UL transmission part,for example, Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink ControlInformation (UCI), and the like. In some embodiments, the indication mayindicate one or more of: the time duration of the DL transmission partand/or the UL transmission part; a time duration of a GP part betweenthe DL transmission part and the UL transmission part; and whether thereis communication on the DL transmission part or the UL transmissionpart.

In another embodiment, the indication of target transmission pattern maybe included in predefined time-frequency resources. And the resourcesmay be common to all UEs and may be not limited to resources defined inthe target transmission pattern.

Still referring to FIG. 3, in block 320, communication is performedbetween a network device and a terminal device by using the targettransmission pattern. In some embodiments, when the network device (forexample, the BS 110) determines the target transmission pattern for theterminal device (for example, the UE 122) in block 310, it may performcommunication with the UE 122 by using the target transmission pattern.For instance, the BS 110 may send data to the UE 122 or receive datafrom the UE 122 according to the target transmission pattern.

Alternatively, when the terminal device (for example, the UE 122)determines the target transmission pattern in block 310, it may performcommunication with the BS 110 by using the target transmission pattern.For instance, the UE 122 may send data to the BS 110 or receive datafrom the BS 110 according to the target transmission pattern.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, fordownlink-centric transmission pattern, there may be different GP or PPduration configurations, such that downlink data transmission iscompleted earlier to obtain enough processing time. In some embodiments,a long GP may be used for ACK/NACK report for the corresponding downlinkdata transmission in the same transmission pattern, and a shorter GP maybe used when there is no ACK/NACK report for the corresponding downlinkdata transmission in the same transmission pattern.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, if ACK/NACK needs to be reported inthe same transmission pattern, the processing period may be used fortransmitting downlink data. In an embodiment, the processing period maybe kept empty. In an alternative embodiment, the processing period maybe used to schedule further data for the same or other terminal device.In this case, ACK/NACK about the further data may be reported in thesame transmission pattern, or in a subsequent transmission pattern. As afurther alternative, the processing period may be used to transmitdownlink RS for measurement, downlink data demodulation, beam trackingand so on.

For the terminal device, the feedback information, such as ACK/NACK, maybe implemented in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, in the kthsubsequent transmission pattern, there is no need of additional dataprocessing time, since the data can be processed in the time duration ofk transmission patterns. In this case, the GP may be short and kept thesame in all transmission patterns.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the feedback information about thedownlink data needs to be sent in the same transmission pattern as thedownlink data. The GP of the transmission pattern may contain aprocessing period defining data processing time of the wholetransmission block. In this case, the GP may be set as a relatively longtime period.

Some embodiments related to the downlink-centric transmission patternsare described as follows. In the following embodiments, a transmissionpattern may be referred to as a subframe. It is to be understood thatthis is used for description, rather than limitation. Those skilled inthe art would appreciate that the transmission pattern defines resourcesin time domain and/or frequency domain.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram 400 of transmission patterns for differentterminal devices, UE1 and UE2, with respect to TDD and different GPdurations according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In theexample of FIG. 4, the eMBB terminal device is referred to as UE1 andthe URLLC terminal device is referred to as UE2. As to UE2, twotransmission patterns are shown and they are the same. The DLtransmission part 421 is for transmitting DL data and described as shortdownlink region including less symbols. In an embodiment, the number ofsymbols of the DL transmission part 421 may be indicated by DCI, whichis included in another DL transmission part 424 for transmitting controlinformation.

The GP 422 or 423 may be set as a long time duration if quick ACK/NACKfeedback is required in the same transmission pattern, such that the GPcan cover the sum of processing time, transmission advance (TA) foruplink transmission and transition time. As such, the UE2 may haveenough time to process downlink data and transmit uplink with TA.

As to UE1, the GP may be set as a short time duration. For UE1 withmultiple transmission pattern scheduling, it is possible that there isno processing time (only keep empty for the TA period align with UE2),so a shorter GP can be used when no PUCCH transmission in thistransmission pattern. There is a shorter empty duration 411 withcontinuous scheduling to align with the time advance for UE1 PUCCHtransmission. When multiple subframe scheduling is employed, if there isno DCI, UE1 MAY only monitor DCI in the first subframe, and skip controlregion in the following subframes (continuous downlink datatransmission). If there is only compact DCI, UE1 may only monitor normalDCI in the first subframe, and compact DCI in the following subframes.In some alternative embodiments, the UE1 may monitor other DCI (stillsome DCI region reserved).

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram 500 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and different GP durations according toembodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 5, UE1 hasa short GP duration when no PUCCH is needed, and ACK/NACK is fed backfrom the UE1 to the BS in a subsequent subframe, for example, the(n+k)^(th) subframe, wherein n represents the subframe number of thesubframe on which transmission of the DL data is completed, and krepresents a subframe number after n, where k>=1. For UE2, a long GPduration is used, and the ACK/NACK is fed back in the same subframe.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram 600 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and different GP durations according toembodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 6, a longGP duration is used for UE2. A flexible GP duration is used for UE1,depending on feedback in the same subframe or not. UE 1 may feedbackACK/NACK in the last subframe for scheduling, and the GP may bedifferent with different subframe number, for example, depending on theTB size.

FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram 700 of transmission patterns for a UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 7, UE2 needs to reportACK/NACK in the same subframe, the GP covers the sum of transmissionadvance for uplink and transition time (same for all UEs), and theprocessing period, PP, is provided for downlink data processing. As toUE1, there may be no PP when continuous scheduling.

FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram 800 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 8, if UE2 needs toreport ACK/NACK in the same subframe, for FDD configuration in which ULand DL transmission are in different frequency bands, there may be noneed of GP for TA. As to the UE2, it may need a processing period fordata processing. As to UE1, no processing period is needed whencontinuous scheduling

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram 900 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 9, UE2 needs a PP fordata processing, and ACK/NACK feedback is in the same subframe. As toUE1, no PP is needed when continuous scheduling, and ACK/NACK feedbackis in the (n+k)^(th) subframe.

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram 1000 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 10, the UE2 has a longduration of PP. As to UE1, a flexible PP duration may be used fordifferent subframe number (related to the TB size). UE1 sends theACK/NACK feedback in the last subframe for scheduling.

FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram 1100 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 11, the UE2 has a PP,and ACK/NACK feedback is in the same subframe. As to UE1, no PP isneeded when no PUCCH needed, and ACK/NACK feedback is in the (n+k)^(th)subframe.

FIG. 12 illustrates a diagram 1200 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 12, the UE2 has a longduration of PP. As to UE1, a flexible PP duration may be used fordifferent subframe number (related to the TB size). UE1 sends theACK/NACK feedback in the last subframe for scheduling.

FIG. 13 illustrates a diagram 1300 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 13, if UE2 needs toreport ACK/NACK in the same subframe, the GP may cover the sum oftransmission advance for uplink and transition time (same for all UEs)and the PP is used for processing downlink data. While for UE1, no PP isneeded when continuous scheduling.

FIG. 14 illustrates a diagram 1400 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 14, the PP may also beused for other UE scheduling, but the ACK/NACK of this period should bedelayed to (n+k)^(th) subframe.

FIG. 15 illustrates a diagram 1500 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 15, for UE2, there maybe one or more DL transmission parts. With regard to some of the DLtransmission parts, the subframe has enough time for data processing andthus the ACK/NACK can be fed back in the same subframe. For other DLtransmission parts, the ACK/NACK may be reported in a subsequentsubframe, for example, the (n+k)^(th) subframe. In the transmissionpattern shown in FIG. 15, each DL transmission part may contain DCI.Alternatively, DCI may be included at the beginning, and there are partindication bits in the DCI.

FIG. 16 illustrates a diagram 1600 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 16, the PP may be usedfor some other transmission, for example, downlink RS for measurement,beam tracking, demodulation, and so on. RS may be used for CSImeasurement, downlink data demodulation reference, beam tracking, andthe like. The downlink RS may be semi-statically configured or triggeredin the downlink DCI. The duration for RS transmission may guaranteeenough time for downlink data processing, and thus the ACK/NACK may befed back in the same subframe

FIG. 17 illustrates a diagram 1700 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 17, if UE2 needs toreport ACK/NACK in the same subframe, and the time duration of PP coversdownlink data processing. With respect to UE1, no PP is needed whencontinuous scheduling.

FIG. 18 illustrates a diagram 1800 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 18, the time durationof PP may be used for other UE scheduling, but the ACK/NACK of the usedperiod needs to be delayed to n+k (k>=1) subframe, namely, the(n+k)^(th) subframe.

FIG. 19 illustrates a diagram 1900 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 19, as to UE2, theremay be one or more DL transmission parts. With regard to some of the DLtransmission parts, the subframe has enough time for data processing andthus the ACK/NACK can be fed back in the same subframe. For other DLtransmission parts, the ACK/NACK may be reported in a subsequentsubframe, for example, the (n+k)^(th) subframe. In the transmissionpattern shown in FIG. 15, each DL transmission part may contain DCI.Alternatively, DCI may be included at the beginning, and there are partindication bits in the DCI.

FIG. 20 illustrates a diagram 2000 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and a processing period according to embodimentsof the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 20, the PP may be usedfor some other transmission, for example, downlink RS for measurement,beam tracking, demodulation, and so on. RS may be used for CSImeasurement, downlink data demodulation reference, beam tracking, andthe like. The downlink RS may be semi-statically configured or triggeredin the downlink DCI. The duration for RS transmission may guaranteeenough time for downlink data processing, and thus the ACK/NACK may befed back in the same subframe.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, foruplink-centric transmission pattern, there may be different GP or PPduration configurations. By delaying the UL transmission or reducingtime duration for downlink control signaling, the UE2 can have enoughtime to prepare data for UL transmission.

In some embodiments, a long GP may be used for uplink data transmission,for example Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) scheduling in thesame transmission pattern, and a shorter GP may be used for no PUSCH orscheduling in n+k(k>=1) subframe.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, if uplink data is scheduled in thesame subframe, the transmission pattern may have a processing period,namely, PP. The preparing period may be set in several ways. In anembodiment, the PP may be kept empty. In another embodiment, the PP maybe used to schedule other data, for the same or other UE. For example,the PP may be used to transmit uplink data, and the scheduling may be ina previous subframe, for example, n-k (k>=1) subframe, which is alsoreferred to as (n−k)^(th) subframe. In another embodiment, the PP may beused to transmit downlink data.

In yet another embodiment, the PP may be used to transmit RS. Forexample, the PP may be used to transmit some uplink RS, e.g. formeasurement, uplink data demodulation, beam tracking and so on. Sincetime duration for preparing the RS is generally less than data, the RSduration may be used for data preparation. In another embodiment, the PPmay be used to transmit some downlink RS, e.g. for measurement, downlinkdata demodulation, beam tracking and so on.

In these embodiments, different UEs may have different PUSCHtransmission time duration. In an example, in the (n+k)^(th) subframe,there is no need of additional data preparing time, since data can beprepared in k subframes duration. In this case, the GP may be short andkeep same in all subframes. In another example, GP of a subframe needsto contain data preparing time of the whole transmission block, and thusthe GP may have a relatively long time duration.

Some embodiments related to the uplink-centric transmission patterns aredescribed as follows. FIG. 21 illustrates a diagram 2100 of transmissionpatterns for UE1 and UE2 with respect to TDD and different GP durationsaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments ofFIG. 21, as to UE2, a long time duration of GP may be used if quick datatransmission is needed in the same subframe. The GP may cover the sum ofpreparing time, transmission advance for uplink and transition time.Uplink transmission of UE2 may be delayed for enough time of dataprocessing, and GP occupies some uplink region.

As to UE 1, in an embodiment (referred to as Case A hereafter) wheremultiple subframe scheduling is employed, the preparing time may be notneeded in some subframes. In another embodiment (referred to as Case Bhereafter) with data transmission in n+k(k>=1) subframe, the preparingtime may be not needed.

FIG. 22 illustrates a diagram 2200 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and different GP durations according toembodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 22, a longtime duration of GP may be used for UE2, and a flexible GP duration maybe used for UE1. As to UE1, uplink data transmission may be in the samesubframe with scheduling, and the GP may be different with differentsubframe number (related to the TB size). For example, in the samesubframe with both uplink data scheduling and the corresponding uplinkdata transmission, the GP is longer for uplink data processing. And inother subframes with only uplink data transmission, the GP is shorterfor TA for uplink data transmission.

FIG. 23 illustrates a diagram 2300 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 23, if UE2 needs to transmit uplinkdata in the same subframe, the GP may cover the sum of transmissionadvance for uplink and transition time (same for all UEs). In theembodiments, a PP is used for uplink data processing of UE2. While forUE1, the PP is not used when multiple subframe scheduling or n+ksubframe scheduling.

FIG. 24 illustrates a diagram 2400 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 24, if UE2 needs to transmit uplinkdata in the same subframe, the GP may cover the sum of transmissionadvance for uplink and transition time (same for all UEs). In theembodiments, a PP is used for uplink data processing of UE2. While forUE1, the PP is not used when multiple subframe scheduling or n+ksubframe scheduling. In the embodiments of FIG. 24, the PP and GP havedifferent positions from those in embodiments described with FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 illustrates a diagram 2500 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 25, a long time duration of GP may beused for UE2, and a flexible GP duration may be used for UE1. As to UE1,uplink data transmission may be in the same subframe with scheduling,and the PP may be different with different subframe number (related tothe TB size). For example, in the same subframe with both uplink datascheduling and the corresponding uplink data transmission, the PP isneeded. And in other subframes with only uplink data transmission, thePP is not needed.

FIG. 26 illustrates a diagram 2600 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and GP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 26, a long time duration of GP may beused for UE2 if quickly data transmission is needed in the samesubframe. GP may cover a sum of preparing time, transmission advance foruplink and transition time. DCI for UE2 may complete earlier for enoughtime of data processing.

As to UE1, a short time duration of GP may be used. In an embodimentdescribed with respect to Case A, for UE1 with multiple subframescheduling, preparing time may be not needed in some subframes (onlykept empty for the TA period for uplink transmission). In an embodimentdescribed with respect to Case B, for UE1 with data transmission in the(n+k)^(th) (k>=1) subframe, preparing time may be not needed.

FIG. 27 illustrates a diagram 2700 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and GP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 27, a long time duration of GP may beused for UE2.

UE1 may have a flexible control region, e.g. different DCI format ordifferent DCI symbols for different scheduling. The GP may be differentwith different subframe number (related to the TB size). In addition,the GP may occupy some downlink duration.

FIG. 28 illustrates a diagram 2800 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 28, if UE2 is to transmit uplink datain the same subframe, the GP may cover the sum of transmission advancefor uplink and transition time (same for all UEs). The PP may be usedfor uplink data processing. The PP may occupy downlink region. As toUE1, no PP is needed when multiple subframe scheduling or n+k subframescheduling.

FIG. 29 illustrates a diagram 2900 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 29, a long time duration of PP may beused for UE2.

UE1 may have a flexible control region, e.g. different DCI format ordifferent DCI symbols for different scheduling. The PP may be differentwith different subframe number (related to the TB size). In addition,the PP may occupy some downlink duration.

FIG. 30 illustrates a diagram 3000 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 30, if UE2 needs to transmit uplinkdata in the same subframe. There may be a PP for uplink data processing.As to UE1, no PP is needed when multiple subframe scheduling or n+ksubframe scheduling.

FIG. 31 illustrates a diagram 3100 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 31, a long time duration of PP may beused for UE2. As to UE1, a flexible time duration of PP may be used.Uplink data transmission of UE1 may be in the same subframe withscheduling. The PP may be different with different subframe number(related to the TB size)

FIG. 32 illustrates a diagram 3200 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 32, if UE2 is to transmit uplink datain the same subframe, the GP may cover a sum of transmission advance foruplink and transition time (same for all UE). There may be a PP foruplink data processing. The PP may occupy downlink region. While forUE1, no PP is needed when multiple subframe scheduling or n+k subframescheduling.

FIG. 33 illustrates a diagram 3300 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 33, a long time duration of PP may beused for UE2.

UE1 may have a flexible control region, e.g. different DCI format ordifferent DCI symbols for different scheduling. The PP may be differentwith different subframe number (related to the TB size). In addition,the PP may occupy some downlink duration.

FIG. 34 illustrates a diagram 3400 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 34, the time duration of PP may beused for other scheduling. In an embodiment described with respect toCase 2 Alt1, the PP may be used for other uplink scheduling, and the ULgrant may be in n-k (k>=1) subframe for enough preparing time. In anembodiment described with respect to Case 2 Alt2, the PP may be used forother downlink scheduling, when the PP occupies downlink duration.

FIG. 35 illustrates a diagram 3500 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 35, for UE2, there may be a pluralityof UL transmission parts. In one or more of the UL transmission parts,the UL grant may be in the same subframe (with enough time for dataprocessing). With regard to others UL transmission parts, the UL grantmay be in the (n−k)^(th) subframe, k>=1.

FIG. 36 illustrates a diagram 3600 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to TDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 36, the time duration of PP may beused for RS transmission. The RS may be triggered or semi-staticallyconfigured periodically or aperiodically. In an embodiment describedwith respect to Case 3 Alt1, the time duration of PP may be used foruplink RS transmission when PP occupies uplink region, and may be usedfor uplink demodulation, measurement, and/or the like. In an embodimentdescribed with respect to Case 3 Alt2, the time duration of PP may beused for downlink RS when PP occupies downlink region, and may be usedfor measurement, beam tracking, demodulation and etc.

FIG. 37 illustrates a diagram 3700 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 37, the time duration of PP may beused for other scheduling. In an embodiment described with respect toCase 2 Alt1, the time duration of PP may be used for other ULscheduling, and the UL grant may be in the (n−k)^(th) subframe (k>=1)for enough preparing time. In an embodiment described with respect toCase 2 Alt2. the time duration of PP may be used for other downlinkscheduling, when the PP occupies downlink duration.

FIG. 38 illustrates a diagram 3800 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 38, there may be a plurality of ULtransmission parts. In one or more of the UL transmission parts, the ULgrant may be in the same subframe (with enough time for dataprocessing). With regard to others UL transmission parts, the UL grantmay be in the (n−k)^(th) subframe, k>=1.

FIG. 39 illustrates a diagram 3900 of transmission patterns for UE1 andUE2 with respect to FDD and PP according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments of FIG. 39, the time duration of PP may beused for RS transmission. The RS may be triggered or semi-staticallyconfigured periodically or aperiodically. In an embodiment describedwith respect to Case 3 Alt1, the time duration of PP may be used foruplink RS transmission when PP occupies uplink region, and may be usedfor uplink demodulation, measurement, and/or the like. In an embodimentdescribed with respect to Case 3 Alt2, the time duration of PP may beused for downlink RS when PP occupies downlink region, and may be usedfor measurement, beam tracking, demodulation and etc.

FIG. 40 illustrates a diagram 4000 of a transmission pattern accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure. In illustrated transmissionpattern, if there is PUCCH transmission for ACK/NACK, it may have thestructure of “DMRS+PUCCH.” In other words, the demodulation referencesignal (DMRS) may be transmitted before the PUCCH signal. For DMRStransmission, the period may also be used for the downlink dataprocessing for the corresponding ACK/NACK.

FIG. 41 illustrates a diagram 4100 of a transmission pattern accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure. In illustrated transmissionpattern, if there is PUSCH scheduled, it may have the structure of“DMRS+PUSCH.” In other words, the DMRS may be transmitted before thePUCCH signal. The DMRS transmission duration may also be used for theuplink data preparation.

FIG. 42 illustrates a schematic diagram of a device 4200 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. According to embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the device 4200 may be implemented at a networkdevice, such as the BS 110, a terminal device, such as the UE 121 or122, or other suitable device in the communication system.

As shown in FIG. 42, the device 4200 comprises: a controller 4210configured to determine a target transmission pattern from a set ofcandidate transmission patterns, wherein each of the candidatetransmission patterns contains a DL transmission part and/or a ULtransmission part, and the candidate transmission patterns differ fromone another in terms of time durations of the respective DL transmissionparts and/or the UL transmission parts; and a transceiver 4220configured to perform communication between a network device and aterminal device by using the target transmission pattern.

In an embodiment, one or more of the candidate transmission patterns mayfurther include a GP part, wherein the GP part is between the DLtransmission part and the UL transmission part.

In an embodiment, the target transmission pattern may be determinedbased on a feedback requirement requiring a feedback about the DLtransmission to be sent in the target transmission pattern, and thetarget transmission pattern may include a processing period for theterminal device to process data received in the DL transmission.

In an embodiment, the target transmission pattern may be applicable in aTDD transmission mode, and length of a GP part may be extended by theprocessing period, or length of the DL transmission part is reduced bythe processing period.

In an embodiment, the target transmission pattern may be applicable in aFDD transmission mode, and length of the DL transmission part may bereduced by the processing period.

In an embodiment, the processing period may be used for further DLtransmission of data, control information or a reference signal, andfeedback about the further DL transmission is to be sent after thetarget transmission pattern.

In an embodiment, the target transmission pattern may be determinedbased on a scheduling requirement requiring scheduling information aboutthe UL transmission is to be sent in the target transmission pattern,and the target transmission pattern may include a processing period forthe terminal device to prepare data to be transmitted in the ULtransmission.

In an embodiment, the target transmission pattern may be applicable in aTDD transmission mode, and length of a GP part may be extended by theprocessing period, or length of the UL transmission part is reduced bythe processing period.

In an embodiment, the target transmission pattern may be applicable in aFDD transmission mode, and length of the UL transmission part may bereduced by the processing period.

In an embodiment, the processing period may be used for further ULtransmission of data or a reference signal, and scheduling informationabout the further UL transmission may be sent before the targettransmission pattern.

In an embodiment, the controller is further configured to determine, atthe network device, a target transmission pattern from the set ofcandidate transmission patterns for each of terminal devices served bythe network device, without requiring the target transmission pattern isthe same for each of terminal devices.

In an embodiment, the target transmission pattern may include anindication in control information transmitted in the DL transmissionpart and/or the UL transmission part, wherein the indication indicatesone or more of: the time duration of the DL transmission part and/or theUL transmission part; a time duration of a GP part between the DLtransmission part and the UL transmission part; and whether there iscommunication on the DL transmission part or the UL transmission part.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also provided an apparatusimplemented at a network device or a terminal device. The apparatus mayinclude means for determining a target transmission pattern from a setof candidate transmission patterns, wherein each of the candidatetransmission patterns contains a downlink (DL) transmission part and/oran uplink (UL) transmission part, and the candidate transmissionpatterns differ from one another in terms of time durations of therespective DL transmission parts and/or the UL transmission parts; andmeans for performing communication between a network device and aterminal device by using the target transmission pattern.

It is also to be noted that the device 4200 may be respectivelyimplemented by any suitable technique either known at present ordeveloped in the future. Further, a single device shown in FIG. 42 maybe alternatively implemented in multiple devices separately, andmultiple separated devices may be implemented in a single device. Thescope of the present disclosure is not limited in these regards.

It is noted that the device 4200 may be configured to implementfunctionalities as described with reference to FIGS. 3-41. Therefore,the features discussed with respect to the method 300 may apply to thecorresponding components of the device 4200. It is further noted thatthe components of the device 4200 may be embodied in hardware, software,firmware, and/or any combination thereof. For example, the components ofthe device 4200 may be respectively implemented by a circuit, aprocessor or any other appropriate device. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the aforesaid examples are only for illustration notlimitation.

In some embodiment of the present disclosure, the device 4200 maycomprise at least one processor. The at least one processor suitable foruse with embodiments of the present disclosure may include, by way ofexample, both general and special purpose processors already known ordeveloped in the future. The device 4200 may further comprise at leastone memory. The at least one memory may include, for example,semiconductor memory devices, e.g., RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and flashmemory devices. The at least one memory may be used to store program ofcomputer executable instructions. The program can be written in anyhigh-level and/or low-level compliable or interpretable programminglanguages. In accordance with embodiments, the computer executableinstructions may be configured, with the at least one processor, tocause the device 4200 to at least perform according to the method 300 asdiscussed above.

Based on the above description, the skilled in the art would appreciatethat the present disclosure may be embodied in an apparatus, a method,or a computer program product. In general, the various exemplaryembodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits,software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspectsmay be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implementedin firmware or software which may be executed by a controller,microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is notlimited thereto. While various aspects of the exemplary embodiments ofthis disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams,flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is wellunderstood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methodsdescribed herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples,hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, generalpurpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or somecombination thereof.

The various blocks shown in FIG. 3 may be viewed as method steps, and/oras operations that result from operation of computer program code,and/or as a plurality of coupled logic circuit elements constructed tocarry out the associated function(s). At least some aspects of theexemplary embodiments of the disclosures may be practiced in variouscomponents such as integrated circuit chips and modules, and that theexemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be realized in an apparatusthat is embodied as an integrated circuit, FPGA or ASIC that isconfigurable to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of anydisclosure or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions offeatures that may be specific to particular embodiments of particulardisclosures. Certain features that are described in this specificationin the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented incombination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features thatare described in the context of a single embodiment can also beimplemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitablesub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, oneor more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excisedfrom the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various systemcomponents in the embodiments described above should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should beunderstood that the described program components and systems cangenerally be integrated together in a single software product orpackaged into multiple software products.

Various modifications, adaptations to the foregoing exemplaryembodiments of this disclosure may become apparent to those skilled inthe relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Any and all modificationswill still fall within the scope of the non-limiting and exemplaryembodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, other embodiments of thedisclosures set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the artto which these embodiments of the disclosure pertain having the benefitof the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the disclosureare not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and thatmodifications and other embodiments are intended to be included withinthe scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are usedherein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and notfor purpose of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a device, comprising:determining a target transmission pattern from a set of candidatetransmission patterns, wherein the target transmission pattern containsa downlink (DL) transmission part and/or an uplink (UL) transmissionpart; receiving a downlink control information (DCI) comprising anindication indicating that there is no transmission for the device on atleast part of the DL transmission part and/or UL transmission part, andperforming communication with a network device based on the targettransmission pattern and the DCI.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein one or more of the candidate transmission patterns furtherinclude a guard period (GP) part, the GP part being between the DLtransmission part and the UL transmission part.
 3. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the target transmission pattern is determined basedon a feedback requirement requiring a feedback about the DL transmissionto be sent in the target transmission pattern, and wherein the targettransmission pattern includes a processing period for the terminaldevice to process data received in the DL transmission.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 3, wherein the target transmission pattern isapplicable in a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) transmission mode, andwherein length of a guard period (GP) part is extended by the processingperiod, or length of the DL transmission part is reduced by theprocessing period.
 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein thetarget transmission pattern is applicable in a Frequency DivisionDuplexing (FDD) transmission mode, and wherein length of the DLtransmission part is reduced by the processing period.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 4, wherein the processing period is used for furtherDL transmission of data, control information or a reference signal, andfeedback about the further DL transmission is to be sent after thetarget transmission pattern.
 7. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe target transmission pattern is determined based on a schedulingrequirement requiring scheduling information about the UL transmissionis to be sent in the target transmission pattern, and wherein the targettransmission pattern includes a processing period for the terminaldevice to prepare data to be transmitted in the UL transmission.
 8. Themethod according to claim 7, wherein the target transmission pattern isapplicable in a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) transmission mode, andwherein length of a guard period (GP) part is extended by the processingperiod, or length of the UL transmission part is reduced by theprocessing period.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein thetarget transmission pattern is applicable in a Frequency DivisionDuplexing (FDD) transmission mode, and wherein length of the ULtransmission part is reduced by the processing period.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 8, wherein the processing period is used for furtherUL transmission of data or a reference signal, and schedulinginformation about the further UL transmission is sent before the targettransmission pattern.
 11. The method according to claim 1, whereindetermining the target transmission pattern comprises: determining, atthe network device, a target transmission pattern from the set ofcandidate transmission patterns for each of terminal devices served bythe network device, without requiring the target transmission pattern isthe same for each of terminal devices.
 12. The method according to claim1, wherein the target transmission pattern includes an indication incontrol information transmitted in the DL transmission part and/or theUL transmission part, wherein the indication indicates one or more of:the time duration of the DL transmission part and/or the UL transmissionpart; and a time duration of a guard period (GP) part between the DLtransmission part and the UL transmission part.
 13. A device forperforming communication, comprising: a controller configured todetermine a target transmission pattern from a set of candidatetransmission patterns, wherein the target transmission pattern containsa downlink (DL) transmission part and/or an uplink (UL) transmissionpart; and a transceiver configured to: receive a downlink controlinformation (DCI) comprising an indication indicating that there is nodownlink communication for the device on at least part of the DLtransmission part, and perform communication with a network device basedon the target transmission pattern and the DCI.
 14. The device accordingto claim 13, wherein one or more of the candidate transmission patternsfurther include a guard period (GP) part, the GP part being between theDL transmission part and the UL transmission part.
 15. The deviceaccording to claim 13, wherein the target transmission pattern isdetermined based on a feedback requirement requiring a feedback aboutthe DL transmission to be sent in the target transmission pattern, andwherein the target transmission pattern includes a processing period forthe terminal device to process data received in the DL transmission. 16.The device according to claim 15, wherein the target transmissionpattern is applicable in a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) transmissionmode, and wherein length of a guard period (GP) part is extended by theprocessing period, or length of the DL transmission part is reduced bythe processing period.
 17. The device according to claim 15, wherein thetarget transmission pattern is applicable in a Frequency DivisionDuplexing (FDD) transmission mode, and wherein length of the DLtransmission part is reduced by the processing period.
 18. The deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein the processing period is used for furtherDL transmission of data, control information or a reference signal, andfeedback about the further DL transmission is to be sent after thetarget transmission pattern.
 19. The device according to claim 13,wherein the target transmission pattern is determined based on ascheduling requirement requiring scheduling information about the ULtransmission is to be sent in the target transmission pattern, andwherein the target transmission pattern includes a processing period forthe terminal device to prepare data to be transmitted in the ULtransmission.
 20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the targettransmission pattern is applicable in a Time Division Duplexing (TDD)transmission mode, and wherein length of a guard period (GP) part isextended by the processing period, or length of the UL transmission partis reduced by the processing period.